1st lose to Hythe Town 2-3

By Mark Beard

Strong and resilient Bridges lose at home

Despite playing some of their best football this season, Three Bridges fell short to Hythe in a 3-2 loss. After a dominating first half which just lacked a goal from Bridges, Hythe turned their performance around for the second half.

Three Bridges tested Hythe goalkeeper, George Kamurasi, early in the fixture. After Lee Hall whipped in a low cross, Brannon O’Neill tried a flick which ricocheted off a Hythe defender back to O’Neill who curled an effort towards goal but Kamurasi did well to dive to his right and push the effort around the post. O’Neill had another chance 6 minutes later when Ibby Akanbi won the ball after putting pressure on a Hythe defender and then squared to O’Neill but he scuffed his shot and it fell through to Kamurasi.

Bridges were then denied a penalty after Bradley Peters was seemingly pushed over after a free kick but the referee wasn’t interested on this occasion. O’Neill had a busy return to Three Bridges with another chance in the 23rd minute, Connor French and Nathan Simpson linked up well as Simpson put in a low cross but O’Neill couldn’t get his feet sorted out in time.

Hythe’s best chance of the first half fell in the form of a free kick in the 26th minute after a foul just outside the penalty area. Jack Sammoutis stood over it but his effort was blocked by the Three Bridges wall. Porciatti was called into action a minute before half time making an outstanding save to tip over a Zak Ansah effort after a one-on-one to keep the score at 0-0.

After a disappointing first half from third-placed Hythe they completely turned things around after the interval and it took only 1 minute and 38 seconds for them to take the lead. Jack Sammoutis was skipped through and curled past Porciatti for his first of the afternoon.

This, however, didn’t destroy Bridges' confidence and they deservedly got one back after IBBY AKANBY squeezed an effort under Kamurasi to make it 1-1 in the 58th minute. Bridges nearly took the lead a minute later after Akanbi back-heeled the ball into the path of French but his goal-bound effort was well blocked by a Hythe defender.

Then came a moment of sheer brilliance when Zak Ansah, who had an uneventful game up until this point, got the ball just inside the Three Bridges half looked up to see Porciatti off his line and let one fly with his left foot. Despite Porciatti doing his best to recover, the ball flew into the top corner. A truly special goal applauded by both home and away fans.

Hythe then made it 3-1 just eight minutes later after Jack Sammoutis netted his second of the game in identical fashion to his first - a good finish that looked to see off Bridges and secure all three points for Hythe with thirteen minutes to go.

However, once again Bridges were strong and resilient and refusing to give up. They worked their way back into the game again after second-half substitute Alex Laing was fouled in the box following an over the top ball. Connor French stepped up and smashed the ball into the bottom left, not for the first time this season. Unfortunately, this was not enough as Hythe survived the last few minutes of extra time and held on for the three points.

Bridges have a week's gap between their next fixture which sees them travel to Hastings United on 3rd November.